Abstract: A compost handling machine comprising a carriage to support the machine for movement along a composting bay, and a compost agitating and conveying assembly to agitate compost in, and to move the compost along, the bay. The agitating and conveying assembly includes a conveyor subassembly and a drum subassembly. The conveyor subassembly includes a plurality of lifting cleats that, in use, are moved around a closed path to lift compost in the bay and move the compost rearwardly therein. The drum subassembly includes an agitating drum extending between and supported by a pair of support arms, and the drum is rotated to agitate and comminute the compost in the bay.

Abstract: A composting facility comprising an elongated composting bay, a compost handling machine, and a ventilation system. The composting bay holds organic waste material while that material composts; and the compost handling machine is adapted to agitate the compost in, and to move the compost along, the bay. The ventilation system selectively conducts air into the compost, and this system includes a sensor, recessed in the bay, to actuate the ventilation system when the temperature of the compost rises above a preset value. Preferably, the temperature of the compost varies along the length of the bay, and the ventilation system includes a multitude of sensors to actuate the ventilation system to conduct air selectively into different sections of the bay to maintain a desired compost temperature profile.

Abstract: A compost handling machine comprising a carriage to support the machine for movement along a composting bay, and a compost agitating and conveying assembly to agitate compost in, and to move the compost along the bay. The agitating and conveying assembly includes a conveyor subassembly and a drum subassembly. The conveyor subassembly includes a plurality of lifting cleats that, in use, are moved around a closed path to lift compost in the bay and move the compost rearwardly therein. The drum subassembly includes an agitating drum extending between and supported by a pair of support arms, and the drum is rotated to agitate and comminute the compost in the bay.